The diverse geographic terrain of India is brimful of numerous scenic landscapes with majestic mountain ranges adding to its glory. The Great Himalayan mountain range possesses some of the highest peaks in India. It is also the birthplace of many mighty rivers in India including the Ganges and Brahmaputra.
Here is a list of the top 7 highest peaks in India. Kanchenjunga tops the list followed by Nanda Devi and Kamet.
A Quick Glance Through
S.No. | Mountain Peak | Elevation (meter) |
1 | Mount Kanchenjunga | 8,586 |
2 | Nanda Devi | 7,816 |
3 | Kamet | 7,756 |
4 | Saltoro Kangri | 7,742 |
5 | Saser Kangri | 7,672 |
6 | Mamostong Kangri | 7,516 |
7 | Rimo | 7,385 |
1. Kanchenjunga Peak
Located at the border of Nepal and India in the great Himalayas range in Sikkim, Mount Kanchenjunga is the highest peak in India and the third-highest in the world.
It is also spelled as Kangchenjunga or Khangchendzonga. At an elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 ft), it is only 262 meters lower than Mount Everest.
Kangchenjunga means “the five treasures of the high snow” in Tibetan language referring to its five peaks, out of which four are over 8,450 meters.
It holds a lot of religious significance in Buddhism. No one has ever stood on the peak as it is considered sacred.
Climbers stop short of the summit to honour the promise made to Chogyal (Former rulers of the Kingdom of Sikkim) that the mountain peak should remain intact.
In 1955, Joe Brown and George Band, members of a British expedition climbed it first. This place is a treat for adventure seekers and trekkers. There are two routes available for trekkers, south and north base camp.
The south base camp at an elevation of 4,740 meters is the most preferred as it is less arduous compared to the north base camp at 5,140 meters. Both the base camps offer breathtaking views of the magnificent Kanchenjunga.
2. Nanda Devi Peak
Nanda Devi is the second highest peak in India at an elevation of 7,816 meters and lies in the Garhwal Himalayas region in Uttarakhand.
It was the highest known mountain in the world until 1808 when Dhaulagiri was discovered by western surveyors. Legend has it that the goddess Nanda, wife of Shiva, lived there.
In the vicinity of the Nanda Devi peak, lies Nanda Devi National Park, which is one of the high-altitude national parks in India.
It is blessed with remarkably rich alpine flora and fauna. The park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1982.
Snow leopard, red fox and Himalayan musk deer are some of the most elusive wildlife of this park. Check this post if you are interested to know, where can you sight snow leopards in India.
The Garhwal region in the Himalayan foothills is one of the most popular destinations for trekkers and offers an exciting choice for an adventure holiday.
3. Kamet Peak
Situated at an elevation of 7,756 meters (25,446 ft), Kamet is the second highest mountain summit of Garhwal Himalayas after Nanda Devi.
It is surrounded by three main subsidiary peaks, namely Mukut Parbat (7,242 meters), Abi Gamin (7,355 meters) and Mana (7,272 meters). It is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
It is amongst the top 3 highest peaks in India and lies very close to the border of Tibet. Relatively remote, the Kamet peak is not as accessible as some other Himalayan peaks owing to its position near the Tibetan Plateau.
The first successful ascent of the peak was made by a British expedition team in 1931.
4. Saltoro Kangri Peak
Located deep in the Karakoram mountain range at an elevation of 7,742 meters (25,400 ft), Saltoro Kangri ranks fourth in this list of the highest peaks in India.
It is also known as the highest peak of the Saltoro Mountains, which is a subrange of the Karakoram range.
Saltoro Mountains are very near to the Siachen Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the world. The first attempt to climb this peak was made by a British expedition led by J. Waller in 1935.
5. Saser Kangri Peak
Saser Kangri is amongst the top 5 highest peaks in India and is also known to be the highest mountain peak in the Saser Muztagh, the easternmost subrange of the Karakoram range.
The Saser Kangri massif is located within Jammu and Kashmir and consists of six peaks, namely Saser Kangri I (7,672 meters), Saser Kangri II East (7,518 meters), Saser Kangri II West (7,500 meters), Saser Kangri III (7,495 meters), Saser Kangri IV (7,416 meters) and Plateau Peak (7,287 meters).
In 1973, mountaineers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police made the first successful ascent of the Saser Kangri peak.
6. Mamostong Kangri Peak
Mamostong Kangri is located in the remote area of the Siachen Glacier at a great altitude of 7,516 meters (24,659 ft).
It is the highest peak in Rimo Muztagh, which is a subrange of the Karakoram range in Ladakh, close to the Sino-Indian border.
Check this post, if you are interested to know more about the best tourist places in Ladakh.
Mamostong massif comprises Mamostong Kangri I (7,516 meters) and Mamostong Kangri II (7,025 meters), along with a cluster of subsidiary peaks.
Due to its remote location, the Mamostong Kangri remains one of the least explored mountain peaks in India. An Indo-Japanese expedition led by Col. B.S. Sandhu made the first ascent of the peak in 1984.
7. Rimo Peak
Rimo literally means ‘striped mountain’. It is located in the heart of the eastern Karakoram range. The Rimo mountain series consists of six peaks with Rimo I as the main summit at an altitude of 7,385 meters (24,229 ft).
Other peaks are Rimo II (7,373 meters), Rimo III (7,233 meters), Rimo IV (7,169 meters), Rimo V (6,882 meters) and Rimo VI (6,846 meters).
The first expedition to this peak was undertaken by an Italian mountaineer Filippo De Filippi in 1914. Subsequently, in 1929, it was explored by a Dutch explorer and mountaineer Philip Visser.
Useful Travel Tips
You can go trekking to enjoy the enchanting views of high mountain peaks and the pristine surrounding beauty. It needs a certain level of training and practice before you start.
Mountain climbing is a thrilling experience but you should remember and follow some ground rules to make it a memorable experience.
- Cover your head as it gives protection from weather conditions
- Wear clothes made of synthetic fabrics which can absorb sweat
- Carry food rich in carbohydrates, like nuts, bread.
- Bring enough water to drink as you may not find a source of clean water
- Get a first aid kit, you never know when it can be of help
- Don’t consume alcohol, it may cause dehydration
- Walk at a steady pace, moving too fast can make you tired
- Remove excessive clothing to protect your body from getting overheated
- Avoid shouting or creating unnecessary noise as it may disturb the local wildlife
Further Reading
For more India travel inspiration and tips, please read some of these posts:
12 Most Famous Beaches in India.
31 Awesome Things, India Is Famous For.
7 Most Fascinating Deserts in India You Need To See.
10 Beautiful Islands in India That Will Mesmerize You.
12 Best Hill Stations in India.
15 of The Most Magnificent Gardens in India.
You might also want to check out our blog on mountain and nature quotes.
137 Short Mountain Quotes To Inspire Your Adventures.
101 Amazing Quotes For Nature Lovers.
Over To You Now
If mountaineering is your passion, climbing to the summit of these highest peaks in India can be an exciting experience.
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amazing Article, Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Gopi.
I love to explore such beautiful places. Its always nice to climb mountains.
Glad to know Aarav that you like mountain climbing. India has many such adventurous places for mountaineering.